Huntington Ravine has LOW and MODERATE avalanche danger. Yale Gully has Moderate avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Unstable slabs are possible in steep terrain. Use caution in steeper terrain. All other forecast areas in Huntington have Low avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets. Normal caution is advised.

It's a clear morning on Mt. Washington with some scattered clouds in the distance off to our east. Yesterday's field observations confirmed our "Moderate" forecast in all the areas posted as such in the early morning. We feel all areas in both Ravines contain the same instability issues today that were demonstrated yesterday. Stability varies widely within the Moderate rating as Left Gully and the south side of Tuckerman is on the lower end of Moderate while the northern side has areas on the upper end approaching Considerable in some isolated areas. The greatest concerns are still from the Lip through Right Gully.

It was incredible to witness so many diverse instabilities moving from location to location within one forecast area. In places we found very easy shears isolating hard slab columns 45-60cm deep failing on facets over the old crust. In others new soft slab, with varying depth, had a lot of elastic energy propagating fractures over loose unconsolidated snow. We discovered a facet "garden" or two with large cupping facets, but were not found to be widespread. The biggest thing to jump out at us is how different the instabilities were around the southern aspects. Therefore truly deserving the term "Spatial Variability". As we discussed yesterday you should be weary to trust a snowpit or two and feel like you're all set. Due to the preponderance of diverse weaknesses we found I would do as many quick hasty pits and stability tests rather than waste to much time doing one full data pit. That one pit may not even tell you what's going on just several meters away. Dig as often as you can and still use caution. Another thing to watch today for the first time in quite a long time is the potential for solar gain in strong sheltered areas on southern aspects. The wind forecast is from the NW at 55-85kph (35-55 mph). This 'should' keep the surface cool in most places, but watch for decreasing strength in protected areas like pockets in the Sluice.

THE LION HEAD WINTER ROUTE IS OPEN. Mountaineering skills and equipment are required on this route. Crampons and an ice axe are a must for safe travel on any angled terrain on Mount Washington. The John Sherburne Ski Trail has improved with new snow, but you should still expect hidden hazards such as water ice and rocks.

As always, this advisory is one more tool to help you make your own decisions in avalanche terrain. It should be used along with your own snow stability assessments, knowledge of safe travel techniques, skill in reading mountain weather's effect on the snowpack, and avalanche rescue. To improve these skills take an avalanche course. We have all the avalanche courses offered in and around the Mt. Washington Valley this winter on our website, tuckerman.org.